NEWS
The International Conference on Sustaining Heritage Calls for Exploring Innovative Approaches to Ensure Sustainability
Sakhir – University of Bahrain (Ali Al Sabbaq)
June 22, 2023
“The International Conference on Sustaining Heritage: Innovative and Digital Approaches” called for exploring innovative approaches that adopt digital solutions to protect and promote rich cultural heritage, and stressed the importance of developing plans and policies that support the sustainability of all types of heritage.
The University of Bahrain held the conference, which discussed about 50 scientific papers over two days, June 18-19, 2023, with participation of many experts and those interested in sustaining and enhancing cultural and human heritage.
The President of the University of Bahrain, Dr. Fuad Mohammed Al-Ansari, stressed that sustaining heritage has become a critical global challenge, which is increasing day by day due to rapid advances in technology and growing interdependence between all parts of the world.
In his speech during the conference, Dr. Al-Ansari underlined the importance of adapting and embracing innovation and exploring digital solutions that can protect the tangible and intangible heritage. He noted the university of Bahrain’s commitment to scientific cooperation and knowledge exchange to enhance pioneering ideas in the field of heritage conservation. He highly appreciated the efforts of the United Nations and its affiliated organizations in the field of sustainable development and preservation of culture and heritage.
The Deanship of Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research organized the online conference in collaboration with the College of Engineering, University of Bahrain, with the support of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Bahrain, over two days.
For her part, the Dean of Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research at the University of Bahrain, Dr. Athraa Sayed Abbas Almosawi, stated, “The world is developing rapidly, due to advances in technology. This increased the importance of preserving our tangible and intangible heritage.” She noted, “The conference is a platform for scholars and experts from different fields to meet and explore innovative approaches that adopt digital solutions to protect and promote the rich cultural heritage.
Dr. Athraa Sayed Abbas Almosawi explained, “In the age of digital transformation, we have an unprecedented opportunity to use technology as a catalyst for change,” She pointed out, “digital platforms, virtual museums and e-learning provide innovative tools to make heritage more accessible to a wider audience.”
Dr. Almosawi stated that the conference reviewed four distinct tracks that delve into innovative and digital methods for sustaining heritage. “Each track offers a unique perspective covering topics such as tangible heritage, heritage conservation, intangible heritage, and innovative management solutions for cultural heritage,” she said, stressing that “discussions would expand opportunities for collaboration in relation to sustaining heritage.”
For her part, the Dean of the College of Engineering at the University, Dr. Shaikha Haifa bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, noted the experiences of participants in the conference, and their various experiences in preserving heritage.
Dr. Haifa bint Ibrahim emphasized the need for such conferences to develop awareness of the importance of heritage and commitment to preserving it by the various sectors, especially students. She noted the need to create local, regional, and global partnerships, and to continue extensive discussions between various bodies to work side by side to develop strategies and policies that support sustainability of national and human heritage.
Dr. Haifa lauded the conference and its outcomes as a research platform that sheds light on tangible heritage and culture, including architecture, fine arts, fashion, design, and intangible forms, including folklore, music, and folktales, in addition to digital heritage and success stories in the context of heritage.
The two-day event discussed several scientific papers, including preserving heritage through virtual reality and simulation experiences, exploring urban and spatial heritage, cybersecurity in heritage tourism, analyzing the use of drones, preserving cultural heritage in Indonesia, and heritage building modeling, financial technology in tourism and sustainable heritage.
